Creating Shapes - Adobe 29180155 - Photoshop Elements 4.0 User Manual

Creating shapes

About shapes
In Photoshop Elements, shapes are vector graphics, which means they are made up of lines and curves defined by
their geometric characteristics instead of pixels. Vector graphics are resolution-independent—that is, they can be
scaled to any size and printed at any resolution without losing detail or clarity. You can move, resize, or change them
without losing the quality of the graphic. Because computer monitors display images on a pixel grid, vector data is
displayed as pixels on-screen.
Shapes are created in shape layers. A shape layer can contain a single shape or multiple shapes, depending on the
shape area option you select. You can choose to have more than one shape in a layer.
You can change the color of a shape by editing its fill layer and applying layer styles to it. The shape tools provide an
easy way to create buttons, navigation bars, and other items used on web pages.
Vector objects created with the shape tools in Photoshop Elements
See also
"To select or move a shape" on page 254
"To transform a shape" on page 254
"To apply a layer style to a shape" on page 255
To draw a rectangle, square, or rounded rectangle
In the Editor, select the Rectangle tool
1
(Optional) In the options bar, click the triangle to display shape options. Set any options you' d like:
2
Draws a rectangle at the exact size you specified in the Width and Height text boxes.
Fixed Size
Draws a rectangle from the center of where you begin drawing (usually a rectangle is drawn from the
From Center
top left corner).
Draws a rectangle based on the numbers you type in the Width and Height text boxes.
Proportional
Snaps edges of a rectangle to the pixel boundaries.
Snap to Pixels
Constrains a rectangle to a square.
Square
or Rounded Rectangle tool
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